Attempts to Convert Sri Lanka
from a Buddhist Country to A "Multi-religious Country"
--Let Us Not Be Fooled But Alert of Conspiracies Against Buddhism in
Sri Lanka
By Darmitha-Kotte
Sri Lanka is known the world over as a Buddhist country apart from
which, it is also known to be the centre of Theravada Buddhism in the
world. This is not something that happened overnight but through 2551
years of Buddhism which has flourished in this country. It is a well
known fact that 70-75% of the Sri Lankan population consists of Buddhists
while the balance is divided among the Hindus, Muslims and Christians(including
Catholics) of which Hindus are the next largest religious group after
Buddhism.
This fact seems to be an "eye-sore" for Christian conspirators
who have through many years been making every effort under the sun,
to portray Sri Lanka as a Christian country and who knows, before very
long there will be an attempt by Islamic circles also to portray this
country as a predominantly Muslim country. Fortunately there is no problem
between the Hindus and Buddhists. In their bid to destabilize the foremost
place given to Buddhism in Sri Lanka, they have ventured to back LTTE
terrorists and use them as the "cat's paw" to hurt Buddhists
and Buddhism in this country. There is also an agenda to make all Buddhist
religious sites common to all!
Subsequent to the "open-economic policies" of the late J.R.Jayawardane
who came into power in 1977 with a much trumped up slogan of making
Sri Lanka into a righteous country with his "Dharmishta Samajaya"
, what he actually did was to pave the way for any and every NGO/INGO
to enter this country in the guise of participating in socio-economic
development projects and conveniently conduct unethical conversions
through which the social fabric of this country was destroyed systematically.
What he commenced as a traitorous act against Buddhists in this country
was continued and given State patronage worst of all during the tenure
of Executive Presidency of Chandrika Kumaratunga(1994-2005) where even
her media advisor was an Evangelist.
The fact that her late husband Vijaya Kumaratunga was a Catholic and
ofcourse, the fact that she attended St. Bridget's Convent are all factors
that made her a Catholic with a "Buddhist Covering" through
which she venomously worked against Sinhala Buddhists and this fact
is extremely well known by most Buddhists in this country. True to herself,
in an attempt to insult Buddhists in this country she even has the audacity
to state that she learned Buddhism under the late Most Venerable Narada
Thero of Vajiraramaya! If she has truly absorbed even an aorta of the
teachings of the late Venerable Nayake Thero of Vajiraramaya she would
have been a totally different human being and leader in this country.
Fortunately she managed to expose herself through no fault of others
in every attempt of hers where she insulted Buddhists and Buddhism in
this country.
It was during her tenure, that the Christian (both Anglican and Catholic)
Churches began their systematic conspiracy to plan out their "Multi-racial"
and "Multi-religious" agenda for Sri Lanka. While she called
Sinhala Buddhists "Buddhist extremists" she gave every support
to the Christian aggression to proceed with her full support. When Evangelists,
Church backed NGOs/INGOs and Catholic Church were engaged in unethical
conversions and fragmenting the social fabric in the villages, it became
evident to Buddhists in this country that unless legal action is taken
to curb this trend, Hindus and Buddhists would be targets of unethical
conversions unabated.
By this time, the Christian Groups had coined another terminology
in the form of "Inter-religious Committees" and "Inter-religious
Harmony" which they hoped to use to solve problems of unethical
conversions and matters of similar nature. This ofcourse would appear
to be similar to the Sinhala saying "Horage Ammagen Pena Ahanawawage"(like
"going to get a light-reading done by the thief's mother herself!")
any fool/idiot would know that absolutely no justice and fair-play could
be expected by either the Hindus or Buddhists from this group of people.
History has taught us lessons on the subtleties and shrewd "slimy"
manipulations of the Catholic Church and not much has changed from then
to now!
The Latest Ploys Being Used to Undermine Buddhism in SL:
In the name of "Inter-religious Amity/Harmony" during the
last decade, various Catholic Churches & Avowed Catholics in the
country have been forcing themselves by "intruding" on Buddhist
religious activities with insensitivity that only they understand. Wesak
celebrations have been feigned inside Catholic Churches and unsuspecting
Buddhist Monks have been invited to participate whereas, on their Holy
Festivals they first enjoy by themselves and a day or two later, invite
Buddhist Monks for name's sake into their premises to perform what appears
to be "an Inter-religious" activity! Having conspired to destroy
the late Ven.Gangodawila Soma Thero, when his body was brought back
to Sri Lanka who was seen squeezing his way to be one of the pall-bearers
none other than Dr. Jayalath Jayawardena! When a Bo-sapling was offered
to the Indian High Commissioner at a Buddhist ceremony, who was seen
amidst the Buddhist Monks again, Dr. Jayalath Jayawardane.
When the Buddha Jayanthi Celebrations were being conducted in India
with the participation of representatives from Sri Lanka, who was in
that group-Dr. Jayalath Jayawardane and Ravi Karunanayake another well
known Christian. Who conducted the Chuda-Manikya to Jaffna from Kelaniya-Dr.Jayalath
Jayawardane during Ranil Wickramasinghe's Premiership immediately after
he took office and now, he is nominated to head a development project
of Mahabodhi India! Can one say these people are sensitive of other
religions? The late Minister Jeyaraj Fernandopulle(who met with a drastic
untimely death at the hands of LTTE terrorism) who himself was an ardent
Catholic also patronized Buddhist Temples and even had them named after
him not because he even vaguely wanted to become a Buddhist but because
he needed the backing of the Buddhist Monks for his political survival
and support should he aspire to become the PM of this country! With
all due respect to him, he was a capable Minister.
Sri Lanka being a Buddhist country and the 2550th Buddha Jayanthi being
of utmost importance to Buddhists in this country, we were not allowed
to conduct celebrations as scheduled due to the manipulations of the
Church to get the government involved in negotiations with LTTE in Geneva.
The culminating year of the Buddha Jayanthi celebrations one year later-again
that was marred by conducting London O'Level Examinations coinciding
with the "Wesak Week" which diverted the attention of Buddhist
families whose children were sitting for the examination!
"Wesak Week 2008" - 15th to 20th May:
With the shrewd & slimy manipulations of the anti-Buddhist conspirators,
they will never allow Buddhists to celebrate the Wesak Week without
"putting a spoke in the wheel" again by trying to invade it
with their " Inter-religious" activities.
This year, a "Circular 2008/16" has been sent out by M.M.N.D.Bandara,
Secretary- Ministry of Education, "Isurupaya" Sri Jayawardanepura
Kotte, Battaramulla dated 21-4-2008 ref:ED/01/11/01/04 (religious and
moral education) with details of how the Wesak Week should be celebrated
which is extremely important, for Buddhists to understand how the anti-Buddhist
elements of both Christians and Muslims have banned together to dilute
the importance of Wesak in this Buddhist country (details of the Circular
will be translated and pasted at the end of this article as reference).
Reading through the Circular the readers will be able to understand
how much and how well "inter-religious amity" is intruding
into the most sacred religious festival of Buddhists in this country.
During the last couple of years instructions sent out by the Ministry
of Education to Government Schools regarding Wesak Week and the programmes
to be conducted, have been totally disregarded by Catholic Schools taken
over by through the "Schools Take-over" due to instructions
they received from the National Director, Catholic Education Rev.Father
Ivan Perera not to adhere to the instructions stipulated in the Circulars
sent out by the Ministry of Education regarding Wesak celebrations.
These schools are until now totally under the supervision of the Sri
Lanka Government and Ministry of Education but the hope of the Catholic/Christian
Churches is to find ways of taking them back under their own control
and out of Government Control and therefore, the Principals of such
schools seem to be receiving instructions from 2 parties- Ministry/Dept
of Education under the Govt. of Sri Lanka AND Rev.Father Ivan Perera
who over-rules government instructions! This another example of the
slimy manipulations while enjoying other Government benefits.
There is definitely a limit to Buddhist tolerance with such anti-Buddhist
agendas blaring in our faces! This is by no means extremism on the part
of Buddhists when they react to absolute aggression by the Christian/Muslim
elements! One wonders whether or not our Ministers are sleeping over
issues which are of utmost importance to the majority of this country?
Buddhists are extremely tolerant until the limit of tolerance has been
tested by anti-Buddhist conspiracies to the maximum and it becomes evident
that unless we protest strongly, the Catholic/Christian anti-Buddhist
conspirators will never get the message that "thus far and no further"
must be adhered to by them. Why are the Thai Buddhists, Burmese Buddhists
and Bangladeshi Buddhists protesting openly now? The answer is very
clear and simple- it is either Muslim or Christian aggression hurting
Buddhist sentiments in those countries.
The same is happening in Sri Lanka and our Leaders must be strong enough
to " call a spade a spade" and tell these conspirators to
stop their hidden agendas and learn to live in harmony with Buddhists.
It is never a Buddhist who has made the first move to hurt another religion
& this is clearly evident in all countries where Buddhism has thrived
and faced anti-Buddhist onslaughts from over-zealous Muslims or Christians.
Under the circumstances, it is grossly unfair to call us "extremists"
and give distorted publicity internationally when the aggressors are
they themselves!
Let Wesak be for Buddhists, Lent & Christmas for Catholics/Christians,
Ramadan & Haj for Muslims and Maha Shiva Rathri/Deevali for Hindus
be kept separately as special religious holidays for those specific
religions without attempting to confuse the entire nation by falling
prey to anti-Buddhist conspiracies initiated by Christians in their
fervent endeavour to establish a "Multi-religious" country
of Sri Lanka. There has been no conflict of interest earlier until Christian
and Catholic Church began this tom-foolery. Religious harmony and amity
can exist only if one does not over-step the boundaries of other religions!
"Live and Let Live" can also be practised only if they know
the boundaries. Would it be possible for Buddhists to have a "Daham
Week" to coincide with Ramadan or Haj Festivals in Mecca or Christmas
in the Vatican? Why do they attempt to rub shoulders with Buddhists
in Sri Lanka?
(Translation of "Circular 2008/16")
Telephone Nos. :
Minister: 2784832/2784807/2785617
Secretary:2784812 Ministry of Education,
Fax No. 2784846(office) "Isurupaya" Sri Jayawardenapura, Kotte
My No.ED/01/11/01/04 (Religious & Moral Education)
Date: 2008-04-21
Circular No. 2008/16
To: All Secretaries of Provincial Education,
All Directors of Provincial Education,
All Divisional Directors of Education,
All District Directors of Education,
All Parivenadhipathis,
All Principals of Government and Private Schools,
All Department Heads of National Education,
All Principals of Teacher Training Colleges,
All Heads of Vocational Training Institutes
2008 Wesak Week
2008-05-14 to 2008-05-20
It has been decided to conduct the "Wesak Week "from 2008-5-14
until 2008-05-20. Previously the instructions sent to you on "2550
Sri Buddha Warsha" in lieu of Buddha Jayanthi celebration by my
Circular ED/01/11/01/04(Bu.Je.Sang) Circular No.2006/03 and Circular
under the title " A New Sri Lanka with Moral Values" dated
24-01-2006 are effective continuously for 12 years from the date of
issue. In addition to those, this Circular is being issued.
02. In accordance with Buddhist practises it has been decided to conduct
these activities in collaboration with schools, Pirivenas, and Buddhist
Temples on an island-wide scale. While giving instructions to conduct
programmes for other religions simultaneously during this period, activities
of special value to those religions are stated separately in this document.
In schools where students are of mixed religions when conducting these
programmes, where ever programmes can be done as a common exercise all
must participate in such activities together. When implementing these
activities, it should be kept in mind that those religions are not treated
with disrespect in any way and that rules and regulations applicable
during the government take over of schools are in no way ignored.
03. It is hoped that you will take into consideration similar programmes
that you have conducted on earlier occasions for "Daham Week".
1.Instructions
i. On 14-5-2008 school premises must be cleaned, 15-5-2008 nearby Religious
Places of Worship must be cleaned through shramadana and 16-5-2008 must
be set aside for programmes related to educational development of students
placing special importance to them.
ii. In order to successfully conduct the "Wesak Week" programme
in schools, Principals should be given instructions that they must ensure
that the most exemplary teachers are selected and given complete charge
of conducting the programmes by giving them proper instructions on how
to conduct it. Details of Teachers thus selected must be notified to
the provincial, district and regional Directors of Education.
iii. In accordance with the aims and objectives of the "Wesak
Week" programme may be amended to suit your particular school and
its environment. In conducting these programmes, it is necessary to
get the support of the teachers, students, parents and relevant religious
leaders.
iv. It is the responsibility of the Principals to ensure that the programmes
are conducted with the cooperation of teachers and students in accordance
with the religious environment of that particular school and that nothing
is done to contravene its religious sentiments. In conducting these
programmes, it is important to ensure that the programmes will feature
and highlight the diversity as included in the New Education Reforms
(Eg. Exhibition of Wesak lanterns, making of Wesak Cards, composing
verses for Wesak Cards, composing and singing devotional songs(Bhakti
Gee etc).
v. Arrangements must be made to invite Buddhist Monks or suitable religious
leaders to schools. Should the school consist of students of mixed religious
backgrounds, arrangements must be made to invite religious leaders of
those students to conduct their religious activities accordingly.
vi. Students must engage in these programmes without forcing them into
it but they must participate with conviction. Such students selected
must be exemplary students.
vii. With a view of inculcating sound moral values/concepts in students
on a long-term basis, it is necessary to discuss plans and discuss with
parents and teachers on commencing such programmes.
viii. In order to enable building a disciplined and moral society,
student programmes must be organised and conducted in the following
manner with special emphasis.
2. Programme:
i During the Wesak Week/ "Daham Sathiya" every morning before
school commences, either a teacher or student must address the school
assembly on topics which help to teach students on values.
Ii Arrange at class levels for students to set up" Collection
Tills" and whatever moneys collected during the week, should be
utilized to help needy people. The moneys collected could be used to
help a needy student either in the same school or in the same locality
or a needy family in the area. If not, the collection could be given
to a religious place of worship in the vicinity or used for shramadana
work to help a hospital, elder's home or children's home/orphanage.
14-5-2008
Cleaning the school premises, nourishing or protecting the school environment-
day's programme to be conducted under these topics.
" Together with teachers and students to engage in cleaning the
school premises including class rooms, garden and buildings
" Select areas in the school premises which are subjected to soil
erosion and attend to rectifying the problem
" Activities connected to tree planting or cleaning areas with
trees already there
" Activities that will ensure the protection of the school premises
and property
15-5-2008
Help in cleaning a selected place of religious worship or hospital,
clean an elder's home or children's home by engaging in shramadana,
or attend to the special needs of children, elders or the sick , entertaining
them with refreshments, donate wheel chairs, spectacles or other needs,
donation of wheel chairs or crutches for disabled soldiers
16-5-2008
To help inculcate sound moral values and character building, commence
programmes
" Educate students on good moral values and social norms
" Organise activities which will help to ensure/protect good social
and moral values
" Conduct essay competitions, painting competitions and speech
competitions
" Conduct Dane, Seela, Bhavana, Dhamma Sermons and religious activities
in keeping with Wesak Full Moon.
17-5-2008 and 18-5-2008( Saturday and Sunday)
Since these 2 days are holidays, delegate students to engage in suitable
activities in keeping with the Wesak activities and also entrust them
to carry the message of Wesak to their immediate families of parents
and brothers/sisters.
19-5-2008 ( Wesak Full Moon Day)
Since it is Wesak Full Moon instruct students to go to the nearby Temple
together with their parents and engage in Dane, Seela, Bhavana activities.
Students of other religions should be given instructions on what they
should do. Instructions for these students are given separately.
20-5-2008
Together with parents and other elders in the family, encourage students
to visit religious places of worship and sight-seeing.
DAHAM WEEK
Programmes to be conducted during "Daham Week" in Hindu,
Muslim, Catholic and Christian schools (Sinhala & Tamil Medium)
are given below.
The instructions given in the section above in relation to Wesak Week
activities can be adopted to suit the particular needs of your school
accordingly.
14-5-2008
Contemplate on Hindu/Islam/ Catholic/ Christian religious values and
how they can be used in your daily life.
" Hoisting the relevant Religious Flag, National Flag and School
Flag
" Inviting relevant religious leaders and conducting talks and
religious programmes accordingly
" Get the relevant religious teachers to talk to students regarding
how they must organise their student lives in keeping with their own
religious values
Lighting of lamps, conducting prayer sessions and singing hymns can
be done accordingly
15-5-2008
" Teach students about the religious customs relating to their
own beliefs
" Paying obeisance to parents, greetings to others based on their
religious beliefs must be taught to them
" Teaching the importance of daily prayers, singing hymns and other
relevant religious practises must be taught to students and advised
16-5-2008
" Students must be taught the importance of peace and brotherhood
in relation to their religious scriptures
" Develop concepts in relation to brotherhood and atonement
" Teach the importance of developing the habit of praying for the
wellbeing of the country and people first thing in the morning and last
thing each night
17-5-2008
" Teaching students about the relevant religious concepts in relation
to the environment
" Encourage students to protect and love the environment and in
so doing, to appreciate to love other fellow beings and animals living
in close association with the environment
" Implement a tree planting programme within the school premises
18-5-2008
" Clean the school premises through shramadana
" Clean the desks, chairs and other school utilities in the class
rooms
" Clean and restructure the water disposing passage ways in the
garden
" Take measures to prevent soil erosion in the school premises
" Conduct lectures/seminars on environment protection
19-5-2008 (Wesak Day)
Instruct students to engage in religious activities pertaining to their
own religions on this day.
20-5-2008
Together with parents and other elders in the family, encourage students
to visit religious places of worship and sight-seeing.
Common Factors:
The Class Teachers must get students to write special essays pertaining
to their experiences during "Wesak Week" or "Daham Week"
and collect them. These essays/reports must be graded and certificates
issued according to class categories.
M.M.N.D.Bandara
Secretary
Ministry of Education
Copies to:(For Information Only)
1. Secretary to The President
2. Secretary- Ministry of Religious Affairs
3. Secretary-Ministry of Cultural Affairs
4. Commissioner-General Buddhist Affairs
5. Additional Secretaries
6. Commissioner General- Education Publications
7. Director General- National Institute of Education
8. Commissioner General-Examinations
9. Chairman-UGC
10. Chief Commissioner- Teacher Training Administration and Science
Faculties
11. Director -Education- Pirivena
12. Members of the Religious Advisory Committee
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